General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

Chrome plated pressed metal housing. Aluminium sole plate. Chrome plated metal handle, heel stand, and plug guard. Wooden hand grip. Synthetic thumb rest.

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

19.8 cm

Width

10.4 cm

Height

13.5 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Domestic Technology

Category

Laundry

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

General Electric

Country

Canada

State/Province

Ontario

City

Toronto

Context

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

Period

Unknown

Canada

Part of the Ontario Hydro collection donated to the Museum in 1992.

Function

Used to press flat and/or remove wrinkles from fabrics.

Technical

The Hotpoint iron was designed in 1905 by Earl H. Richardson from California. The heating elements in this iron are arranged in such a way that the heat is concentrated at the forward point of the soleplate, to better iron buttonholes and pleated materials. Hence the name "Hotpoint." The manufacturer's name changed over time, and the name used on this iron indicates that it was made after 1927. However, in its design it is almost exactly the same as Hotpoint irons from early 1900s. This iron features a dial to adjust temperature. The electric iron was invented in 1882, by Howard Seely. Seely patented his electric flatiron on June 6, 1882 (U.S. Patent no. 259,054). Early electric irons used a carbon arc to create heat, which was an unsafe method. In 1892, hand irons using electrical resistance were introduced by Crompton and Company and the General Electric Company. During the 1950s, electric steam irons were introduced.

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

Temperature settings stamped on top centre of iron read: 'LOW' & 'HIGH', with short radiating lines in between indicating temperature gradations.

Missing

Electrical cord. Temperature control knob, mfr's plate. From CA of 04/06/1994 by Tony Missio: Yes - missing cord, heat selector knob

Finish

Polished chrome finish on housing, handle, heel stand, and plug guard. Unfinished aluminium sole plate. Wooden hand grip painted silver (may not be original finish). Black synthetic thumb rest.

Decoration

N/A